Hope is a powerful thing, as it reminds our hearts that things will turn out for the best. When something comes along and interrupts our hope, the heaviness that hangs in our hearts can make us feel sad to the point of sickness. However, just the opposite is true when we delight in a dream fulfilled. The joy that floods our hearts makes hope soar as we witness what we’ve longed for come to fruition. Presently, I am in a paradoxical position. One hope that I was holding was dolefully dashed yesterday, yet daily, I am in the midst of walking out a dream being fulfilled and am experiencing joy and blessings that my heart has not known before. God is good, even so, and we have to recognize that He can use both the hopes dashed and dreams fulfilled to bless and encourage those around us as we walk forward in faith, trusting in His goodness. May we rise up in assurance, holding fast to the One in whom all hope dwells, as He is the fulfiller of dreams and granter of joy.

When hope is deferred,

Photo by Dee Jones of Open Door Photography ❤

Heaviness does dwell;

For dreams that are dashed,

Make the heart unwell.

Yet, dreams that come true,

Bring life and great joy;

Our longings fulfilled,

New faith to employ.

Both dashed dreams and joy,

Are places for good;

For His love’s made known,

His peace understood.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are with us when hopes are dashed and when dreams are fulfilled. Thank You that Your grace and love remain with us through it all. Thank You that You can use both to bless and encourage those around us, as our story is an opportunity to demonstrate Your faithfulness. Forgive us for allowing the heaviness of our disappointment in a hope deferred to weigh us down too long. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would grieve our loss and seek comfort in You. Show us how to encourage those in a space of deferred hope, so that they may see fulfillment in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You, as You are the One who truly fills our hearts with joy as the granter of new life. Be glorified O God, as we hold fast to our hope in You, no matter what comes and goes around us. Amen.

Be friends with those who are wise, and you will become wise. Choose fools to be your friends, and you will have trouble. – (Proverbs 13:20, ERV)

Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces. – (Proverbs 13:20, MSG)

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. – (Proverbs 13:20, NIV)

The company we keep matters. Those whom we spend the most time with, have the loudest voice in our lives. Are the words spoken by those around us encouraging and uplifting, ever willing to speak truth in love? Though we cannot control what others say and do, we can choose the people that we make a priority in our lives. Additionally, we can determine the influence that we have on those around us. When we walk in wisdom and truth, we are providing a path to peace. May we seek to spend time with those who are wise, rather than making friends with fools; and may we be friends who walk in wisdom and lift up all who surround us.

Help me be a friend,

Who’s wise in my ways;

An encouragement,

To others, always.

A fool for a friend,

Is cause for alarm;

For such company,

Will only bring harm.

So choose well your friends,

Opt walk with the wise;

Growing in wisdom,

Purpose realized.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You lead us and guide us and give us direction as to what is best for us. Thank You that You remind us that the company we keep matters. Thank You that not only do those we choose to spend time with have influence on us, but we do on them as well. Forgive us for either choosing poorly, or for being foolish as friends. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on You to show us whom we are meant to spend time with, and that all wisdom comes from You. Grant us Your wisdom, so that we may love well, all those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we first seek You for all wisdom and listen to You for direction in our friendships, so that above all, You may be praised. Amen.

Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin. – (Proverbs 13:3, NIV)

What we say, matters. Our words have the power to heal or the power to destroy. We must choose wisely, for with our words, we are either offering light and life and hope, or we are breaking down and bringing ruin. This holds true not only for those around us, but for ourselves as well. “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” – (Psalm 19:14, NIV)

May these lips of mine,

Beladen with life;

Extended to all,

Disarmer of strife.

Help my tongue be tame,

So hope is spoken;

Let love be offered,

To hurt and broken.

Preserve my life Lord,

For all of my days;

May I love like You,

And walk in Your ways.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that words have the power to give light and life and hope to those who are hurting. Thank You that when we seek You and trust in You, You use willing hearts to speak good into those who need to hear it. Forgive us for not controlling our tongues, as our careless words do damage. Teach us to trust You more, as You are the One who will defend us when harsh words are spoken, and You will shine light on untruth. Help us to know when to speak and when to stay silent. Give us Your words to speak in all things and at all times. Show us how to speak light, life and love into those around us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we guard our lips so that we may give You glory with our every word. Amen.

I know far too many folks who are in the midst of a season of grief. The hope that they had held, seems to be slipping away. Such enormous grief accompanies the loss of something that was held in hope for so long, that to the one who is grieving, it feels as if the weight will never relent. As one who has walked through that space of postponed hope and overwhelming grief, I can attest to the promise that He hears and provides comfort as He loves us back to life once again. Where hope was buried in the burden of pain, God gave comfort and restored the hope that was all but lost. One breath at a time, one moment, one hour, one day… Each a provision of the hand of the Lord to restore what was lost and broken, as He continually loved. May our prayer mirror that of Psalm 10:17, that states, “Lord, You know the hopes of the helpless. Surely You will hear their cries and comfort them.”

When death’s ugly door,

Stares you in the face;

There’s nowhere to run,

No place that seems safe.

Yet despite hope lost,

We may rest assured;

When we are in Christ,

Our hope is secured.

No matter the height,

Nor depth that we fall;

In Christ there is hope,

To overcome all.

For He is our Rock,

Redeemer and friend;

Pulls us from the pit,

With us to the end.

Though sorrow may come,

Our hope shall remain;

Forever in Christ,

As we trust His Name.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that despite how we feel, our hope remains in You. Thank You that in the midst of trials, grief and struggles, You are our anchor that keeps us secure. Thank You that You hear every cry and provide comfort to those who call on You. Forgive us for losing sight of hope in You when our grief is great. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on the truth of what is known, rather than what is simply seen. Show us how to love others in such a way, that they would come to know that there is always hope in You who hears every cry. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we call on You for comfort in our grief, and seek You in our struggles. Be our hope to hold forever, Lord God. Amen.

Yesterday, the task to which I charged my students, was for each one to select a “legacy” word for the year. The word that they choose is to be accompanied by a symbol or image that represents that word to them, and each card with word and image will be posted on a designated wall in my classroom. Our discussions throughout the day about what a legacy is, were rich and rewarding. These 7th graders understand the value in passing something down to those who come after them. Additionally, each of them desires to achieve their highest potential, both this year, and in life. The goals and dreams held in the hearts of young people are truly inspiring.

It is good to have something to pass down to your grandchildren. But wealth hidden away by sinners will be given to those who live right. – (Proverbs 13:22)

What we pass on to the next generation and beyond, matters. If we share wisdom and insight that steers them in the right direction, and leads them on the path of righteousness, hope, light and life will lie before them. However, if we shatter dreams and shut down the hopes that kids hold in their hearts, we may be missing out on a promising leader, artist, doctor, inventor, discoverer, or the like. Our wealth is not just monetary. Our time, our heart, our concern, our love, our energy – kids need adults who care to invest in their lives. If a child knows that at least one grown up in their world is for them, they are more confident to move toward their dreams. May we share the wealth that we have, with those who will follow in our footsteps – be it our time, experience, wisdom or resources. Let us make the choice to be a champion for every child.

Living legacy,

is a choice to make;

how to be recalled,

despite our mistakes.

Do we choose rise up,

and try, try again;

or do we choose fold,

give up and give in?

How we choose respond,

matters very much;

young ones are watching,

our words, deeds and such.

We shape their thinking,

of what’s right and wrong;

we model respect,

and how to belong.

Let’s make the right choice,

be a champion;

instead of limits,

kids see dreams begin.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have given us the privilege and the responsibility of caring for the next generation. Thank You that You do not expect us to do this on our own, but rather You equip and empower us with You grace, goodness and love, to care well for all whom we are given charge. Thank You that You intentionally create each individual with gifts and talents that are waiting to be discovered. Forgive us for not seeking to find those hidden treasures in every human, and teach us to see people through Your eyes. Help us to trust You in us as we are placed positions where we are desperately in need of You. Lead us to love and care for kids well, as they are the leaders of tomorrow. Show us how to leave a legacy of faithfulness in You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek to honor You in all that we do, and leave a legacy of loving You and people well. Amen.